A facile finger-paint physical modification for bilateral electrode/electrolyte interface towards a stable aqueous Zn battery

Since the electrode/electrolyte interface(EEI)is the main redox center of electrochemical processes,proper manipulation of the EEI microenvironment is crucial to stabilize interfacial behaviors.Here,a finger-paint method is proposed to enable quick physical modification of glass-fiber separator without complicated chemical technology to modulate EEI of bilateral electrodes for aqueous zinc-ion batteries(ZIBs).An elaborate biochar derived from Aspergillus Niger is exploited as the modification agent of EEI,in which the multi-functional groups assist to accelerate Zn^(2+)desolvation and create a hydrophobic environment to homogenize the deposition behavior of Zn anode.Importantly,the finger-paint interface on separator can effectively protect cathodes from abnormal capacity fluctuation and/or rapid attenuation induced by H_(2)O molecular on the interface,which is demonstrated in modified MnO_(2),V_(2)O_(5),and KMn HCF-based cells.The as-proposed finger-paint method opens a new idea of bilateral interface engineering to facilitate the access to the practical application of the stable zinc electrochemistry.

Investigation of polysulfone film on high-performance anode with stabilized electrolyte/electrode interface for lithium batteries

Lithium metal has been considered to be the most promising anode material for the new generation of energy-storage system.However,challenges still stand in protecting lithium metal from spontaneous reactions with electrolytes and preventing the dendritic propagation,both of which would lead to undesirable decrease in Coulombic efficiency.Polysulfone(PSf)membrane with high rigidity and free-volume cavities of approximately 0.3 nm was employed to provide a stable interface on the surface of anodic electrode.The isotropic channels were constructed by the interconnected and uniformly distributed free volumes in the polymer matrix,and were expected to be swelled by solvent molecules and anions of lithium salt and to allow Li+ions to pass through onto the electrode surface.As a result,dendrite-free morphology of deposited lithium was observed.The stabilized interface arose from the PSf film was verified by the promoted performances of Cu|Li cells and steady voltage polarization of Li|Li cells.The full cell with PSf coated anode exhibited excellent cyclability(85%capacity retention rate over 400 cycles at 1C)and an outstanding rate capability(117 m Ah g-1 at 5C).The beneficial performances were further verified by the EIS results.This work provides a new strategic idea to settle the dendritic problems of Li metal anodes.

Solid electrolyte-electrode interface based on buffer therapy in solid-state lithium batteries

In the past few years,the all-solid lithium battery has attracted worldwide attentions,the ionic conductivity of some all-solid lithium-ion batteries has reached 10^(-3)-10^(-2) S/cm,indicating that the transport of lithium ions in solid electrolytes is no longer a major problem.However,some interface issues become research hotspots.Examples of these interfacial issues include the electrochemical decomposition reaction at the electrode-electrolyte interface;the low effective contact area between the solid electrolyte and the electrode etc.In order to solve the issues,researchers have pursued many different approaches.The addition of a buffer layer between the electrode and the solid electrolyte has been at the center of this endeavor.In this review paper,we provide a systematic summarization of the problems on the electrode-solid electrolyte interface and detailed reflection on the latest works of buffer-based therapies,and the review will end with a personal perspective on the improvement of buffer-based therapies.

In situ formed LiF-Li_(3)N interface layer enables ultra-stable sulfide electrolyte-based all-solid-state lithium batteries

Sulfide solid electrolytes are promising for high energy density and safety in all-solid-state batteries due to their high ionic conductivity and good mechanical properties.However,the application of sulfide solid electrolytes in all-solid-state batteries with lithium anode is restricted by the side reactions at lithium/electrolytes interfaces and the growth of lithium dendrite caused by nonuniform lithium deposition.Herein,a homogeneous LiF-Li_(3)N composite protective layer is in situ formed via a manipulated reaction of pentafluorobenzamide with Li metal.The LiF-Li_(3)N layer with both high interfacial energy and interfacial adhesion energy can synergistically suppress side reactions and inhibit the growth of lithium dendrite,achieving uniform deposition of lithium.The critical current densities of Li_(10)GeP_(2)S_(12)and Li_(6)PS_(5)Cl are increased to 3.25 and 1.25 mA cm^(-2)with Li@LiF-Li_(3)N layer,which are almost triple and twice as those of Li-symmetric cells in the absence of protection layer,respectively.Moreover,the Li@LiF-Li_(3)N/Li10GeP2S12/Li@LiF-Li_(3)N cell can stably cycle for 9000 h at 0.1 mA cm^(-2)under 0.1 mA h cm^(-2),and Li@LiF-Li_(3)N/Li_(6)PS_(5)Cl/Li@LiF-Li_(3)N cell achieves stable Li plating/stripping for 8000 h at 0.1 mA cm^(-2)under10 m A h cm^(-2).The improved dynamic stability of lithium plating/stripping in Li@LiF-Li_(3)N/Li_(10)GeP_(2)S_(12)or Li_(6)PS_(5)Cl interfaces is proved by three-electrode cells.As a result,LiCoO_(2)/electrolytes/Li@LiF-Li_(3)N batteries with Li_(10)GeP_(2)S_(12)and Li_(6)PS_(5)Cl exhibit remarkable cycling stability of 500 cycles with capacity retentions of 93.5%and 89.2%at 1 C,respectively.

Electrode-compatible fluorine-free multifunctional additive regulating solid electrolyte interphase and solvation structure for high-performance lithium-ion batteries

The rapid development and widespread application of lithium-ion batteries(LIBs) have increased demand for high-safety and high-performance LIBs. Accordingly, various additives have been used in commercial liquid electrolytes to severally adjust the solvation structure of lithium ions, control the components of solid electrolyte interphase, or reduce flammability. While it is highly desirable to develop low-cost multifunctional electrolyte additives integrally that address both safety and performance on LIBs, significant challenges remain. Herein, a novel phosphorus-containing organic small molecule, bis(2-methoxyethyl) methylphosphonate(BMOP), was rationally designed to serve as a fluorine-free and multifunctional additive in commercial electrolytes. This novel electrolyte additive is low-toxicity,high-efficiency, low-cost, and electrode-compatible, which shows the significant improvement to both electrochemical performance and fire safety for LIBs through regulating the electrolyte solvation structure, constructing the stable electrode-electrolyte interphase, and suppressing the electrolyte combustion. This work provides a new avenue for developing safer and high-performance LIBs.

A critical review on composite solid electrolytes for lithium batteries:Design strategies and interface engineering

The rapid development of new energy vehicles and 5G communication technologies has led to higher demands for the safety,energy density,and cycle performance of lithium-ion batteries as power sources.However,the currently used liquid carbonate compounds in commercial lithium-ion battery electrolytes pose potential safety hazards such as leakage,swelling,corrosion,and flammability.Solid electrolytes can be used to mitigate these risks and create a safer lithium battery.Furthermore,high-energy density can be achieved by using solid electrolytes along with high-voltage cathode and metal lithium anode.Two types of solid electrolytes are generally used:inorganic solid electrolytes and polymer solid electrolytes.Inorganic solid electrolytes have high ionic conductivity,electrochemical stability window,and mechanical strength,but suffer from large solid/solid contact resistance between the electrode and electrolyte.Polymer solid electrolytes have good flexibility,processability,and contact interface properties,but low room temperature ionic conductivity,necessitating operation at elevated temperatures.Composite solid electrolytes(CSEs) are a promising alternative because they offer light weight and flexibility,like polymers,as well as the strength and stability of inorganic electrolytes.This paper presents a comprehensive review of recent advances in CSEs to help researchers optimize CSE composition and interactions for practical applications.It covers the development history of solid-state electrolytes,CSE properties with respect to nanofillers,morphology,and polymer types,and also discusses the lithium-ion transport mechanism of the composite electrolyte,and the methods of engineering interfaces with the positive and negative electrodes.Overall,the paper aims to provide an outlook on the potential applications of CSEs in solid-state lithium batteries,and to inspire further research aimed at the development of more systematic optimization strategies for CSEs.

Engineering homotype heterojunctions in hard carbon to induce stable solid electrolyte interfaces for sodium-ion batteries

Developing effective strategies to improve the initial Coulombic efficiency(ICE)and cycling stability of hard carbon(HC)anodes for sodium-ion batteries is the key to promoting the commercial application of HC.In this paper,homotype heterojunctions are designed on HC to induce the generation of stable solid electrolyte interfaces,which can effectively increase the ICE of HC from 64.7%to 81.1%.The results show that using a simple surface engineering strategy to construct a homotypic amorphous Al_(2)O_(3) layer on the HC could shield the active sites,and further inhibit electrolyte decomposition and side effects occurrence.Particularly,due to the suppression of continuous decomposition of NaPF 6 in ester-based electrolytes,the accumulation of NaF could be reduced,leading to the formation of thinner and denser solid electrolyte interface films and a decrease in the interface resistance.The HC anode can not only improve the ICE but elevate its sodium storage performance based on this homotype heterojunction composed of HC and Al_(2)O_(3).The optimized HC anode exhibits an outstanding reversible capacity of 321.5mAhg^(−1) at 50mAg^(−1).The cycling stability is also improved effectively,and the capacity retention rate is 86.9%after 2000 cycles at 1Ag^(−1) while that of the untreated HC is only 52.6%.More importantly,the improved sodium storage behaviors are explained by electrochemical kinetic analysis.

Tuning composite solid-state electrolyte interface to improve the electrochemical performance of lithium-oxygen battery

Thin and flexible composite solid-state electrolyte(SSE) is considered to be a prospective candidate for lithium-oxygen(Li-O_(2)) batteries with the aim to address the problems of unsatisfied safety, terrible durability as well as inferior electrochemical performance. Herein, in order to improve the safety and durability, a succinonitrile(SN) modified composite SSE is proposed. In this SSE, SN is introduced for eliminating the boundary between ceramic particles, increasing the amorphous region of polymer and ensuring fast ionic transport. Subsequently, the symmetric battery based on the proposed SSE achieves a long cycle life of 3000 h. Moreover, the elaborate cathode interface through the SN participation effectively reduces the barriers to the combination between lithium ions and electrons, facilitating the corresponding electrochemical reactions.As a result, the solid-state Li-O_(2)battery based on this SSE and tuned cathode interface achieves improved electrochemical performance including large specific capacity over 12,000 m Ah g^(-1), enhanced rate capacity as well as stable cycle life of 54 cycles at room temperature. This ingenious design provides a new orientation for the evolution of solid-state Li-O_(2)batteries.

LiCoO_(2) sintering aid towards cathode-interface-enhanced garnet electrolytes

Garnet-type Li_7La_(3)Zr_(2)O_(12)(LLZO) has high ionic conductivity and good compatibility with lithium metal.High-temperature processing has been proven an effective method to decrease the interface resistance of cathodeILLZO.However,its application is still hindered by the interlayer co-diffusion with the cathode and high sintering temperature(>1200℃).In this work,a new garnet-type composite solid-state electrolyte(SSE) Li_(6.54)La_(2.96)Ba_(0.04)Zr_(1.5)Nb_(0.5)O_(12)-LiCoO_(2)(LLBZNO-LCO) is firstly proposed to improve the chemical stability and electrochemical properties of garnet with high-temperature processing.Small doses of LCO(3%) can significantly decrease the LCOISSE interface resistance from 121.2 to 10.1 Ω cm~2,while the sintering temperature of garnet-type LLBZNO decreases from 1230 to 1000℃.The all-solid-state battery based on the sintered LLBZNO-LCO SSE exhibits excellent cycling stability.Our approach achieves an enhanced LCOISSE interface and an improved sintering activity of garnet SSE,which provides a new strategy for optimizing the comprehensive performance of garnet SSE.

Molecular Reactivity and Interface Stability Modification in In-Situ Gel Electrolyte for High Performance Quasi-Solid-State Lithium Metal Batteries

Quasi-solid-state lithium metal battery is a promising candidate for next generation high energy density and high safety power supply.Despite intensive efforts on electrolytes,uncontrolled interfacial reactions on lithium with electrolyte and patchy interfacial contacts still hinder its practical process.Herein,we bring in rationally designed F contained groups into polymer skeleton via in-situ gelation for the first time to establish quasi-solid-state battery.This method achieves a capacity retention of 90%after 1000 cycles at 0.5C with LiFePO_(4)cathodes.The interface constructed by polymer skeleton and reaction with–CF_(3)lead to the predicted solid electrolyte interface species with high stability.Furthermore,we optimize molecular reactivity and interface stability with regulating F contained end groups in the polymer.Comparisons on different structures reveal that high performance solid stable lithium metal batteries rely on chemical modification as well as stable polymer skeleton,which is more critical to construct robust and steady SEI with uniform lithium deposition.New approach with functional groups regulation proposes a more stable cycling process with a capacity retention of 94.2%at 0.5C and 87.6%at 1C after 1000 cycles with LiFePO_(4) cathodes,providing new insights for the practical development of quasi-solid-state lithium metal battery.

Free-Standing α-MoO_(3)/Ti_(3)C_(2) MXene Hybrid Electrode in Water-in-Salt Electrolytes

While transition-metal oxides such as α-MoO_(3)provide high capacity,their use is limited by modest electronic conductivity and electrochemical instability in aqueous electrolytes.Two-dimensional(2D)MXenes,offer metallic conductivity,but their capacitance is limited in aqueous electrolytes.Insertion of partially solvated cations into Ti_(3)C_(2)MXene from lithium-based water-in-salt(WIS)electrolytes enables charge storage at positive potentials,allowing a wider potential window and higher capacitance.Herein,we demonstrate that α-MoO_(3)/Ti_(3)C_(2)hybrids combine the high capacity of α-MoO_(3)and conductivity of Ti_(3)C_(2)in WIS(19.8 m LiCI)electrolyte in a wide1.8 V voltage window.Cyclic voltammograms reveal multiple redox peaks from α-MoO_(3)in addition to the well-separated peaks of Ti_(3)C_(2)in the hybrid electrode.This leads to a higher specific charge and a higher rate capability compared to a carbon and binder containing α-MoO_(3)electrode.These results demonstrate that the addition of MXene to less conductive oxides eliminates the need for conductive carbon additives and binders,leads to a larger amount of charge stored,and increases redox capacity at higher rates.In addition,MXene encapsulated α-MoO_(3)showed improved electrochemical stability,which was attributed to the suppressed dissolution of α-MoO_(3).The work suggests that oxide/MXene hybrids are promising for energy storage.

INTERFACIAL PHENOMENA AT BOUNDARIES OF MOLTEN ELECTROLYTE-CARBON ELECTRODE-LIQUID METAL IN ALUMINIUM ELECTROLYSIS CELL(PARTⅠ)

ＩＮＴＥＲＦＡＣＩＡＬＰＨＥＮＯＭＥＮＡＡＴＢＯＵＮＤＡＲＩＥＳＯＦＭＯＬＴＥＮＥＬＥＣＴＲＯＬＹＴＥＣＡＲＢＯＮＥＬＥＣＴＲＯＤＥＬＩＱＵＩＤＭＥＴＡＬＩＮＡＬＵＭＩＮＩＵＭＥＬＥＣＴＲＯＬＹＳＩＳＣＥＬＬ（ＰＡＲＴⅠ）①ＱｉｕＺｈｕｘｉａｎ，...

Asymmetric Electrolytes Design for Aqueous Multivalent Metal Ion Batteries

With the rapid development of portable electronics and electric road vehicles,high-energy-density batteries have been becoming front-burner issues.Traditionally,homogeneous electrolyte cannot simultaneously meet diametrically opposed demands of high-potential cathode and low-potential anode,which are essential for high-voltage batteries.Meanwhile,homogeneous electrolyte is difficult to achieve bi-or multi-functions to meet different requirements of electrodes.In comparison,the asymmetric electrolyte with bi-or multi-layer disparate components can satisfy distinct requirements by playing different roles of each electrolyte layer and meanwhile compensates weakness of individual electrolyte.Consequently,the asymmetric electrolyte can not only suppress by-product sedimentation and continuous electrolyte decomposition at the anode while preserving active substances at the cathode for high-voltage batteries with long cyclic lifespan.In this review,we comprehensively divide asymmetric electrolytes into three categories:decoupled liquid-state electrolytes,bi-phase solid/liquid electrolytes and decoupled asymmetric solid-state electrolytes.The design principles,reaction mechanism and mutual compatibility are also studied,respectively.Finally,we provide a comprehensive vision for the simplification of structure to reduce costs and increase device energy density,and the optimization of solvation structure at anolyte/catholyte interface to realize fast ion transport kinetics.

Atom substitution of the solid-state electrolyte Li_(10)GeP_(2)S_(12)for stabilized all-solid-state lithium metal batteries

Solid-state electrolyte Li_(10)GeP_(2)S_(12)(LGPS)has a high lithium ion conductivity of 12 mS cm^(-1)at room temperature,but its inferior chemical stability against lithium metal anode impedes its practical application.Among all solutions,Ge atom substitution of the solid-state electrolyte LGPS stands out as the most promising solution to this interface problem.A systematic screening framework for Ge atom substitution including ionic conductivity,thermodynamic stability,electronic and mechanical properties is utilized to solve it.For fast screening,an enhanced model Dop Net FC using chemical formulas for the dataset is adopted to predict ionic conductivity.Finally,Li_(10)SrP_(2)S_(12)(LSrPS)is screened out,which has high lithium ion conductivity(12.58 mS cm^(-1)).In addition,an enhanced migration of lithium ion across the LSr PS/Li interface is found.Meanwhile,compared to the LGPS/Li interface,LSrPS/Li interface exhibits a larger Schottky barrier(0.134 eV),smaller electron transfer region(3.103?),and enhanced ability to block additional electrons,all of which contribute to the stabilized interface.The applied theoretical atom substitution screening framework with the aid of machine learning can be extended to rapid determination of modified specific material schemes.

In-situ coupling construction of interface bridge to enhance electrochemical stability of all solid-state lithium metal batteries

Polymer-based composite electrolytes composed of three-dimensional Li_(6.4)La_(3)Zr_(2)Al_(0.2)O_(12)(3D-LLZAO)have attracted increasing attention due to their continuous ion conduction and satisfactory mechanical properties.However,the organic/inorganic interface is incompatible,resulting in slow lithium-ion transport at the interface.Therefore,the compatibility of organic/inorganic interface is an urgent problem to be solved.Inspired by the concept of“gecko eaves”,polymer-based composite solid electrolytes with dense interface structures were designed.The bridging of organic/inorganic interfaces was established by introducing silane coupling agent(3-chloropropyl)trimethoxysilane(CTMS)into the PEO-3D-LLZAO(PL)electrolyte.The in-situ coupling reaction improves the interface affinity,strengthens the organic/inorganic interaction,reduces the interface resistance,and thus achieves an efficient interface ion transport network.The prepared PEO-3D-LLZAO-CTMS(PLC)electrolyte exhibits enhanced ionic conductivity of 6.04×10^(-4)S cm^(-1)and high ion migration number(0.61)at 60℃and broadens the electrochemical window(5.1 V).At the same time,the PLC electrolyte has good thermal stability and high mechanical properties.Moreover,the Li Fe PO_(4)|PLC|Li battery has excellent rate performance and cycling stability with a capacity decay rate of 2.2%after 100 cycles at 60℃and 0.1 C.These advantages of PLC membranes indicate that this design approach is indeed practical,and the in-situ coupling method provides a new approach to address interface compatibility issues.

Artificial intelligence for the understanding of electrolyte chemistry and electrode interface in lithium battery

Recognizing the critical role of electrolyte chemistry and electrode interfaces in the performance and safety of lithium batteries,along with the urgent need for more sophisticated methods of analysis,this comprehensive review underscores the promise of machine learning(ML)models in this research field.It explores the application of these innovative methods to studying battery interfaces,particularly focusing on lithium metal anodes.Amid the limitations of traditional experimental techniques,the review supports a hybrid approach that couples experimental and simulation methods,enabling granular insights into the formation process and characteristics of battery interfaces at the molecular level and harnessing AI to extract patterns from voluminous data sets.It showcases the utility of such techniques in electrolyte design and battery life prediction and introduces a novel perspective on battery interface mechanisms.The review concludes by asserting the potential of artificial intelligence(AI)or ML models as invaluable tools in the future of battery research and highlights the importance of fostering confidence in these technologies within the scientific community.

Multiscale modeling of electrolytes in porous electrode:From equilibrium structure to non-equilibrium transport

Understanding the mechanisms and properties of various transport processes in the electrolyte,porous electrode,and at the interface between electrode and electrolyte plays a crucial role in guiding the improvement of electrolytes,materials and microstructures of electrode.Nanoscale equilibrium properties and nonequilibrium ion transport are substantially different to that in the bulk,which are difficult to observe from experiments directly.In this paper,we introduce equilibrium and no-equilibrium thermodynamics for electrolyte in porous electrodes or electrolyte-electrode interface.The equilibrium properties of electrical double layer(EDL)including the EDL structure and capacitance are discussed.In addition,classical non-equilibrium thermodynamic theory is introduced to help us understand the coupling effect of different transport processes.We also review the recent studies of nonequilibrium ion transport in porous electrode by molecular and continuum methods,among these methods,dynamic density functional theory(DDFT)shows tremendous potential as its high efficiency and high accuracy.Moreover,some opportunities for future development and application of the non-equilibrium thermodynamics in electrochemical system are prospected.

Solid Electrolyte Interface in Zn-Based Battery Systems

Due to its high theoretical capacity(820 mAh g^(−1)),low standard electrode potential(−0.76 V vs.SHE),excellent stability in aqueous solutions,low cost,environmental friendliness and intrinsically high safety,zinc(Zn)-based batteries have attracted much attention in developing new energy storage devices.In Zn battery system,the battery performance is significantly affected by the solid electrolyte interface(SEI),which is controlled by electrode and electrolyte,and attracts dendrite growth,electrochemical stability window range,metallic Zn anode corrosion and passivation,and electrolyte mutations.Therefore,the design of SEI is decisive for the overall performance of Zn battery systems.This paper summarizes the formation mechanism,the types and characteristics,and the characterization techniques associated with SEI.Meanwhile,we analyze the influence of SEI on battery performance,and put forward the design strategies of SEI.Finally,the future research of SEI in Zn battery system is prospected to seize the nature of SEI,improve the battery performance and promote the large-scale application.

Progress and perspective of the cathode/electrolyte interface construction in all-solid-state lithium batteries

Security risks of flammability and explosion represent major problems with the use of conventional lithium rechargeable batteries using a liquid electrolyte.The application of solid-state electrolytes could effectively help to avoid these safety concerns.However,integrating the solid-state electrolytes into the all-solid-state lithium batteries is still a huge challenge mainly due to the high interfacial resistance present in the entire battery,especially at the interface between the cathode and the solid-state electrolyte pellet and the interfaces inside the cathode.Herein,recent progress made from investigations of cathode/solid-state electrolyte interfacial behaviors including the contact problem,the interlayer diffusion issue,the space-charge layer effect,and electrochemical compatibility is presented according to the classification of oxide-,sulfide-,and polymer-based solid-state electrolytes.We also propose strategies for the construction of ideal next-generation cathode/solid-state electrolyte interfaces with high room-temperature ionic conductivity,stable interfacial contact during long cycling,free formation of the space-charge region,and good compatibility with high-voltage cathodes.

Silicon micropillar electrodes of lithiumion batteries used for characterizing electrolyte additives

The 100 crystal-oriented silicon micropillar array platforms were prepared by microfabrication processes for the purpose of electrolyte additive identification. The silicon micropillar array platform was used for the study of fluorinated vinyl carbonate(FEC), vinyl ethylene carbonate(VEC), ethylene sulfite(ES), and vinyl carbonate(VC) electrolyte additives in the LiPF_6 dissolved in a mixture of ethylene carbonate and diethyl carbonate electrolyte system using charge/discharge cycles, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results show that the silicon pillar morphology displays cross-shaped expansion after lithiation/delithiation, the inorganic lithium salt keeps the silicon pillar morphology intact, and the organic lithium salt content promotes a rougher silicon pillar surface. The presence of poly-(VC) components on the surface of FEC and VC electrodes allows the silicon pillar to accommodate greater volume expansion while remaining intact. This work provides a standard, fast, and effective test method for the performance analysis of electrolyte additives and provides guidance for the development of new electrolyte additives.